Copper levels in pet food has been a concerning topic for the last few years. A growing number of pets have been diagnosed with copper storage disease, a growing number of veterinarians have been outspoken about the lack of a copper maximum in pet food regulations.
The problem: pet food regulations written by AAFCO have no maximum level of copper for dog and cat foods. Pet food manufacturers can add any level of copper (above the required minimum) to pet foods.
And pet food manufacturers want to keep it that way.
Over the last several years of AAFCO discussion on copper levels in pet food, pet food industry representatives were not shy about expressing their opposition to AAFCO establishing a copper maximum in pet food. Industry even opposed a voluntary option for pet food – allowing a controlled copper level in some pet foods (completely voluntary, not required). Industry continued to oppose any attempt for a controlled level of copper in pet food to be established in regulation.
Hill’s Pet Food even partnered with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) claiming that copper levels in pet food should only be adjusted in cooperation with veterinarians and should only be available in prescription diets (such as those sold by Hill’s).
Opposite of Big Pet Feed, the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists (ACVN), the organization of veterinarians with the knowledge to fully understand the effects of high levels of copper on pets – was in favor of low copper/controlled copper level in pet foods. Dr. David Dzanis – a board certified veterinary nutritionists and former chair of the ACVN encouraged AAFCO to approve a low copper/controlled copper level in pet food.
But…AAFCO listened to the wants of Big Pet Feed. They ignored pet food consumers, they ignored veterinary nutritionists. Last week, the AAFCO Pet Food Committee voted against a low copper/controlled copper level in pet food.
From an AAFCO public notice: “On May 30, 2024, the Pet Food Committee reviewed the findings and the proposed voluntary language from the original expert panel, the notes from the copper workgroup, and feedback from veterinarians, animal nutritionists, consumer groups, and the general public but ultimately failed to reach a consensus and voted “no” on the proposed voluntary ‘Controlled Copper’ claim language. AAFCO will continue to monitor new scientific literature as it becomes available and may consider the topic again in the future if additional data warrants another review.”
And to make matters even worse…the FDA decided to abstain from voting on this very significant issue. The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine has at least two representatives on AAFCO’s Pet Food Committee with voting rights. The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine participated in all previous AAFCO discussions on copper levels in pet food, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine is the federal authority on pet foods/pet food safety. But…when it was time to take a stance on an issue that consumers and veterinary nutritionists were in favor of…they refused to take a stance. Instead, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine chose to do nothing.
Shameful.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Peg
June 4, 2024 at 4:15 pm
Just like the medical profession, the veterinary profession is bought and paid for. It’s sickening.
Bren
June 4, 2024 at 11:10 pm
Mars and Nestle not only own a majority of all Pet Food Brands, they also own some of the Veterinary Chains such as Banfield Veterinary Clinics and VCA. They are also purchasing the DNA testing labs such as Wisdom Panel/Optimal Health. So basically they are on their way to owning the entire Pet Industry. Not a surprise that AAFCO, along with the FDA and USDA, follow in line with their wealthy benefactors. And don’t even start me on who funds Veterinary Schools and Universities. They are are in lockstep – and it’s not for the benefit of our pets, but more their pocketbooks…
aimee
June 4, 2024 at 5:17 pm
From a science perspective I think I understand why the measure failed, But, as a consumer, I wanted controlled copper labeling to pass.
AAFCO’s min for Copper for Main. is 7.3mg/kg DM
After looking at many formulas, it seems “big pet food” (Purina, Hill’s Royal Canin are the ones I checked) has controlled copper across their formulas, as I recall most were around 14-15mg/kg DM with some products reporting levels close to AAFCO’s min.
I’ve only ever found really high copper levels being self-reported in raw/freeze dried raw products from “small pet food,” One of the highest I’ve ever seen was in a Bison diet – 281 mg/kg DM kcals. WOW
Damien Smith
June 4, 2024 at 5:18 pm
Check all financial holdings of the AAFCO officials. The corporations know they can pay the right people and do what they want.
Dr Rock
June 5, 2024 at 1:21 pm
EDTA will chelate and bind copper. Used as an antidote.